Heart rate

Heart rate is the number of times the heart beats per minute. In an average lifetime, the heart beats more than 3 billion times. SA node rhythmically generates the heart rate. It is also influenced by nerves from the brain.

Heart rate is increases or decreases in response to the body’s oxygen and nutrients requirement. It can spike due to exertion, stress, dehydration, certain drugs, illness, etc. Getting fitter, slow, deep breaths and meditation can lower heart rate. Insufficient supply of oxygen to the body and decreased body temperature can also lead to decreasing heart rates.

Heart rate is measured by finding the pulse of the heart or through ECG. The typical resting heart rate in adults is 60–80 beats per minute (bpm). The highest heart rate a person can achieve without severe problems is termed maximum heart rate. For young adults it is most commonly calculated by subtracting the age from 220.

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